The Cocktails & Caregivers Foundation is always honored to play a small but impactful role in the lives of those navigating the difficult journey of cancer treatment. Today, we share the story of Sevdalina and Nayden Nikolov, an Illinois couple whose strength and resilience have been inspiring.

Sevdalina was diagnosed with metastatic adrenocortical carcinoma, a rare and aggressive cancer. What began as subtle symptoms like hair thinning, weight gain, and hot flashes eventually led to a shocking revelation: a tumor had been growing undetected in her body. 

“Finding out I had cancer was a shock,” Sevdalina shares. “I had always lived a healthy and active lifestyle. The symptoms were subtle, and I initially thought they were linked to menopause or my thyroid condition. But when my doctor ran more tests, it became clear something more serious was happening.”

The Challenge of Travel and Caregiving

Due to the rarity and complexity of her condition, Sevdalina’s treatment requires her to travel out of state to see specialists at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. The logistical challenges of frequent travel for treatment compounded the emotional toll of the diagnosis.

In addition to the physical and emotional strain of being away from home, the financial burden also weighed heavily on Sevdalina and her husband, Nayden. Despite receiving disability benefits, their fixed income was not enough to cover the travel and living expenses associated with ongoing treatments.

“We travel together to Houston every few months, staying for two to three nights each time,” Sevdalina explains. “The medical costs are already overwhelming, and then you add in travel, hotel stays, and meals—it’s an incredibly stressful situation. But the hardest part is that my husband can’t work while caring for me, and we had no choice but to rely on savings and credit cards just to get by.”

Keeping Caregivers Close

After Sevdalina underwent surgery in New York and faced unexpected complications, she was hospitalized for 47 days, far longer than anticipated. During this time, Nayden stayed at a hotel near the hospital, never leaving her side. The total cost for their hotel stay amounted to a staggering $9,255.33.

At the Cocktails & Caregivers Foundation, we are committed to providing caregivers like Nayden with support to alleviate some of the financial stress they face so they can focus on what matters most: their loved one’s health and well-being. We were grateful to be able to grant Sevdalina and Nayden financial assistance to help with the cost of travel during their frequent medical travel. 

In Sevdalina’s words, “This grant has been a blessing, allowing us to focus on what truly matters—my health and our family. It means the world to us.”

The Impact of Your Support

Sevdalina and Nayden’s story is a reminder of the sacrifices families make while coping with the demands of cancer treatment. It’s a journey often filled with uncertainty, fear, and financial strain. However, it’s also a journey that can be made more manageable with the right support.

“I want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who made this grant possible,” Sevdalina says. “This gift has helped us navigate through some very difficult decisions. Without this support, we would have been in an even tougher situation. We are truly thankful.”

The Nikolov family’s story is one of many we’ve heard at Cocktails & Caregivers Foundation, and it drives home the importance of our work. Every grant we award helps provide more peace of mind to families facing the toughest challenges. As we continue to support caregivers and families in need, we are deeply grateful to our donors, volunteers, and supporters who make this possible.

If you want to help more families like the Nikolovs, please consider donating to the Cocktails & Caregivers Foundation. Your contribution can help financially assist families in need, ensuring they can focus on what matters most—healing, hope, and family. To join us in continuing grants like this, you can donate to cocktailsandcaregivers.org/donate. 

Thank you, Sevdalina and Nayden, for allowing us to be part of your journey. We wish you strength, peace, and continued healing in the days ahead.